I have been a researcher, consultant and educator in the furniture design industry for twenty years. For the past fifteen years I have been working as a lecturer in design education at GMIT Letterfrack. I have a love of detail and design and have had my furniture designs showcased at Farmleigh House and designed and made pieces for President Michael D. Higgins. I have supervised students and worked with furniture companies in Ireland, UK, Europe, USA, Australia, Canada, Africa and Asia dealing with all aspects of the furniture industry. Clients include - Furniture Manufacture, Architectural Woodworking, Store Fixtures and Custom Wood Products.

My latest project was a collaborative project with Davin Larkin, a fellow GMIT Letterfrack design lecturer. One output of this collaboration has been the Galway Design Box initiative which creates a platform for design like no other city in Ireland. http://galwaydesignbox.com/

I am constantly trying to create learning opportunities for students with industry and other external organisations, ranging from small workshops to large multinationals like MJM and Glen Dimplex. I have been responsible for the delivery of modules in Design and Innovation, Design and Visual Studies, Industrial Design and CAD/CAM. Over a period, I have worked with colleagues in ensuring that the design process which students follow has been aligned with developments in manufacturing, materials and digital technology. I have demonstrated an excellent proficiency for ensuring that my teaching is also aligned with industry and that students are both engaged and challenged to develop design solutions that are innovative and relevant.

Qualifications:

MA Management Education, Waterford Institute of Technology BSc (Hons) Technology and Design, University of Ulster
Higher National Diploma in Engineering, University of Ulster National Certificate in Technology in Furniture Production GMIT